I have been running for over a decade now but only a couple of years back I actually started to enjoy it. I then discovered a whole new world where people wrote about running and made movies on the same. I will deal with the movies in some other post.

I never realised that runners could write. Not in the derogatory way in the least but if someone could write on running! Well, I was pleasantly surprised when the pandoras box(read internet here) opened up. Well, I realise now that once you get passionate about some activity, then you get to see and read about it everywhere. That’s probably the law of attraction.

We, humans, are a species who generate motivation from each other, listening and reading about each others stories. The books give out tales of bravery and courage, which in turn transform a incapable or I should say an under confident human into an achiever. Books maketh a man. That’s true. Whether a runner is an elite or a beginner, tales of overcoming odds to achieve excellence is always mesmerizing and heart warming.

So, I read these 7 books in last couple of years, which I thought I should share with you all. Do add the ones which I might need to read later.

1. Dare To Run by Amit Sheth

After reading the book, I was genuinely pleased by the whole reading experience and the way Amit has written about his failures and successes. The book is an autobiographical account of Amit Sheth and his musings with running. You can read the full review of the book here. This is one book which has not figured at any of the lists of running but should have. Probably it never got so much of an exposure.

2. Born To Run by Christopher McDougall

Born To Run has brought about a revolution in barefoot running and the sport of ultra marathon. The author has written extensively about the hidden tribes of Copper Canyon, the Tarahumaras and their superhuman abilities to run 100s miles without getting injured. You can read the full review of the book here.

3. Relentless Forward Progress by Bryon Powell

You can say this book to be a mini bible on ‘how to run an ultra‘. The book is full of practical advices on various aspects of running an ultra distance as well as essays by some elite ultra runners on some issues. It is a must read if you are contemplating on running distances longer than marathons. You can read the full review here.

4. Running Through the Wall – Personal Encounter With the Ultramarathon by Neal Jamison

This book is a compilation of stories of grit and determination of 39 runners of varying capabilities. After reading this book, I was motivated to run ultras. It gave me a belief that anybody can run more than 26.2 miles. You can read the full review here.

5. Once A Runner by John L. Parker, Jr

This one’s a classic in the running genre. The author has brought in so much beauty in this sport that at many places it feels like poetry. The book has a great fictional story with an exciting end. You can read the full review here.

6. Eat And Run by Scott Jurek

Scott Jurek is a champion ultra runner and a book from him is a peek inside his life of competing at the highest level. The book is an autobiographical account of his life and his running. Scott is a vegan and he gives out a recipe at the end of each chapter. That’s a bonus. You can read the full review here.

This was the first book on running I read and loved it thoroughly. The autobiographical account of the most celebrated ultra runner is so motivating that you would like to go out for a long run while reading it. An inspiring book for newbies and seasoned runners. You can read the full review here.

These are the books which now proudly sit in my library. I pick them up occasionally to get a dose of motivation whenever I feel down. There are some more books on running which I want to read in future. They are –

1. My Life on the Run: The Wit, Wisdom, and Insights of a Road Racing Icon by Bart Yasso.

2. Run or Die by Kilian Jornet.

3. The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei by John Stevens.

4. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Murakami Haruki.

5. Daniels’ Running Formula-3rd Edition by Jack Daniel.

Here is a video of review of some more books which I haven’t mentioned above.

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About Neel

Hey guys, I am Neel and behind creating borN. borN got evolved from my passion for the sport of running. Through this blog I strive to provide you all with in depth researched articles on running and related issues to keep you running.